Pacifier



Feb. 22, 194,9. N. P. STECKLER PACIFIER Filed Aug. 16, 1946 INVENTQR PSrL-CHER /VA r ATTO R N EY Patented Feb. 22, 1949 A UNITED STATES-PATENTOFFICEv PACIFIER Nat P. Steckler', New York, N. Y. Application August16, 1946, Serial No. 691,014

2 claims. (c1. 12s- 360) My invention relates to improvements in paciers which are adapted to soothe infants and to provide a medium formassage of their gums during the natural process of teething. Theobjects of my improvements are: First, to provide a nipple, a guard, anda gum massaging and teething means, all if unitary construction, as thebody portion of the pacifer, so that it will be impossible for theinfant to separate these features and admit them separately into itsmouth and choke thereby; second, to further provide as optional,additional features of the described unit, reinforced arms withreinforced openings which are adapted to securely fasten a ring or bellor other amusing ornament to the aforesaid unit; third, to provide anipple, a guard, gum massaging and teething means, and a ring as acomplete inseparable unit of construction; and fourth, to introduce themethod whereby the nipple, guard, gum massaging and teething means, andring can be molded as a unit, then having the ring stamped olf, therebyeliminating a separate molding operation for the ring.

I attain these objects by the devices illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which- Figure lis a View of the combination of the nipple,guard, gum massaging and teething means, and ring constructed as a unit;Figure 2 is a vertical section of the nipple, guard, and gum massagingand teething means; Figure 3 is a plan view of the body portioncomprising nipple, guard, gum massaging and teething means, reinforcedarms, ring and bell; Figure 4 is a vertical section of the view inFigure 3; Figure 5 is a view of the plan of the side of the guardopposite the nipple showing a section of the arms at the plane of thereinforced holes therein; and Figure 6 shows the nipple, guard, gummassaging and teething means and plastic stem and ring adapted thereto.

Similar numerals relate to similar parts throughout the several views.

The nipple I, the guard 2, and the gum massaging and teething means 3,are molded in one unit together with a ring which may be either themovable ring 8, or the fixed ring I0, which is placed in relation to theouter edge of the gum massaging and teething means 3. The ring is laterstamped off and either fastened in a fixed position as in Figure 1, ormovably by means of the arms 4 and a metallic rod, or ring as in Figure3, or by means of another suitable attachment. I prefer to use gumrubber for these parts but any equivalent as may be suitable can beused. The unit may also be molded with the arms 4 and their respectivereinforcing beads 5, as a part of the process'of molding. A space 26 andan annular opening I5, are formed in the body portion of the device asthus far described. The space 26, between the circumferential walls ofthe nipple I, may be filled either with soft rubber 9 as in Figure 4, ormay be air filled, in which event a proper air vent should be providedso that the infant may enjoy normal sucking by collapsing the nipple, asshown in Figure 6. A soft jelly may also be used to iill the space 26.

The embodiment of my improvement as shown in Figure 1 reveals a pacierof unit construction which cannot be pulled apart by the infant, whichis easily kept clean and with no cracks or crevices in which dirt orgerms can collect. The gum massaging and teething means 3, around theperiphery of the guard 2, is a new feature and is a part of the unitaryconstruction. The infant may use these means or its irritated gums inaddition to using the nipple for soothing and satisfaction. As shown inFigure 3, the ring and a bell, or other amusing device are securelyfastened to the arms emanating from the nipple and guard. The arms havereinforced openings I4, through which all of the parts are fastenedtogether as shown in the drawing. The arms themselves have areinforcement 5, running around the outside edge. As a result, it isimpossible for the infant to dislodge or separate any of the parts andswallow them or choke on them.

Figure 6 shows a variation of my improvement to the basic portion unitof the nipple, guard, and gum massaging and teething means. A plasticstem I I, adapted to hold a ring I2, is inserted through the opening I5.While I prefer to use plastic, any other suitable material may be used.The stem is inserted in the opening I5, and kept in secure combinationby the resilient quality of the material in the body portion. As anadded safety factor, this unit is further secured with cement or othersuitable method of fastening. The ring I2, is adapted to the stem I I,by having the opening 'l in the stem completely encircle the ring. Asplit I6, in the ring, is for the purpose of inserting said ring in thementioned opening 1, and is then closed by cement or other suitablefastening. In this variation, I show a collar I3, which is used to closethe ring. The combination of the rubber and plastic as shown in theaccompanying drawing is new and effective. As was mentioned above, ifthe space 26, between the circumferential Walls of the nipple is to beair filled, a proper air vent 6, should be provided in the stem I I.

I am aware that prior to my invention, paciers have been made withnipples, guards and rings. I, therefore, do not claim such a combinationbroadly; but I claim:

1. The combination, in a pacier, of a body portion having a hollownipple, a guard, gum massag ing and teething means around the outercircumferential edge of the said guard, a plurality of reinforced armsemanating from a flat surface of the guard, and a space within the wallso f the said nipple, all of oneV piece, inseparablev unitary 10construction, the said space containing a soft filling, and the saidarms adapted to hold a ring,

substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in a pacier, of a body portion having a hollownipple, a guard, gum;rrrassag-k u;a

ing and teething means around the outer circurnf ferential edge of thesaid guard, a plurality of` re-Y inforced arms emanating from a flatsurface oi the guard, and a space Within the Walls of the said nipple,all of one piece, inseparable unitary construction, the said spacecontaining. a soft filling,

4 and the said arms adapted to hold a ring and an amusement device,substantially as set forth.

NAT P. STECKLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED s'rrxrrlasv PATENTS,

